Wheel.



- PATENTED OCT. 9, 1906. L. N. WITTUM. WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16, 1906.

JNVENTOR lama n A! THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES LUMAN N. WITTUM, OF WVIOHITA. K

PATENT OFFICE.

ANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO Application filed January 16,

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUMAN N. WITTUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wheels,: of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in wheels, and particularly to a means for joining the felly-sections together and attaching the spokes to the felly.

One object of the invention is the production of means whereby the felly-sections may be readily and securely joined and all play or loosening of the joints of said section eliminated.

Another object of the invention is the production of a device for attaching a spoke of a wheel to the felly, said device embracing means whereby the spoke can be quickly and efficiently tightened, thus overcoming a common and dangerous defect in the ordinary type of wheel.

The invention will first be described in connection with the accompanying drawings and then pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a broken elevation of a wheel, showing my improvement in operative position. Fig. 2 is a broken perspective showing contiguous ends of two felly-sections as used in conjunction with my felly-clamp. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the felly-clamp. Fig. 4 is asection of the spokeattaching device, the felly, tire, and spoke being shown in elevation.

Referring to the drawings, in which like figures of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, 1 and 2 represent contiguous sections of a wheel -felly similarly constructed. A portion of the ends of these sections is cut away an equal depth from the four faces, respectively, at 3 and 4 to form integral lugs'5 and 6 of equal length and of the same shape in cross-section as the fellies, but of course of less area.

7 represents the felly-clamp, comprising a sleeve, preferably of metal, the exterior dimensions and shape of which conform to those of the felly in order that when the parts are assembled the-joint shall be flush and present practically an unbroken surface. The bore of the clamp is of such a size as to allow the lugs 5 and 6 to be forced into the l Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1906.

1906. Serial No. 296.307.

clamp, the roughened interior Walls of which firmly embrace said lugs and prevent their separation under ordinary circumstances when once they are in position. The lugs are of such length that when in operative position their proximate faces are in contact and the ends of the clamp bear against shoulders 3 and 4, the construction forming a tight strong joint, its efficiency being in creased, of course, when supplemented by the usual shrunk tire 8.

9 indicates a metallic sleeve exteriorly screw-threaded for a portion of its length at 10 and designed to snugly embrace the outer end of spoke 11. as shown in Fig. 4, and be securely fixed thereto by friction or any ordinar y means.

12 is a metal cap, interiorly threaded, designed to screw down over the sleeve 9, the outer face 13 of cap 12 hearing against the inner face of the felly, as shown. Projecting centrally from the outer face 13 of cap 12 is an integral shaft 14, in length equal to the side face 15 of the felly, medially through which it is designed to pass, suitable apertures being provided in the felly at proper distances to accommodate the required number of spokes.

In thewheel the lugs on the contiguous sections of the fellies are forced into opposite endspf the clamp and the tire shrunk on, the felly-sections being thus firmly held together by a strong easily-assembled joint, in the use of which no bolts whatever are requ red, thus avoiding a disadvantage in the ordinary construction. The spoke end, incased in its sleeve 9, is inserted in cap 12 and screw connection between the two effected. The shaft 14 of the cap is-then introduced into the aperture provided for it and the cap screwed upon the sleeve, when, as obvious, the spoke will be drawn to proper tightened position.

It is well known that ineffective attachment of wheel-spokes to the felly and defective joining of the felly-sections is a common and dangerous fault in the ordinary construction wherein loosening of such spokes and felly-joints is very prevalent and generally results in the wheel being dished.

It is evident that with my construction the juncture of the felly-sections is easily effected and a strong durable joint formed without the aid of binding-plates and bolts, the

lugs on the felly ends particularly opposing l Having thus described the invention, what any lateral movement of the joint, while by the use of my spoke attachment the spokes can be readily attached and firmly held to the telly, while at the same time simple and effective provision is made for overcoming any looseness of the spoke incident to the use of the ordinary method of attachment It is important in structures of this char acter in which means are provided for adj usting the spokes and tightening them by crowding apart the Wheel-hub and felly that some specific connection be utilized bywhich the felly-sections are permitted to have a slight independent movement to compensate for the tightening operation of the spokes. This is arranged for in the sleeve connection described, whereby the necessary movement is permitted without possibility of complete separation of the sections.

is claimed as new is- A Wheel structure comprising a felly made in sections, a wheel-hub; and spokes joining the hub and felly, the adjacent end of the felly-sections being reduced to provide proj cations, and a hollow sleeve corresponding in sectional contour and size to the felly-sections, said sleeve being interiorly roughened to receive and grip the projections from the felly-sections, in combination with means for tightening the spoke by crowding the felly-sections from the spoke ends.

In testimony whereof I afi'lx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUMAN N. WITTUM.

Witnesses:

R. H. PETERS, JOSEPH KING. 

